HT204616: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)
jukkalep

Q: Creating roaming network problem?

HI

I tried to create roaming network at home with help of that article. I just bought new airport extreme for basestation to first floor and new airport express to 2nd floor. I´m planning to connect them with ethernet.

I´m using Mountain Lion on my mac and airport utility 6.1 . I noticed that I don´t have all the option needed to configure roaming network with that new airport utility?

Can some give me working instructions how to create roaming network with those tools?

Thx, Jukka

Posted on Sep 28, 2012 9:13 PM

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Q: Creating roaming network problem?

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  • by CRMDVM,

    CRMDVM CRMDVM Sep 28, 2012 10:05 PM in response to jukkalep
    Level 4 (1,365 points)
    Sep 28, 2012 10:05 PM in response to jukkalep

    Airport Utility 6.1 is a streamlined version - one of the more functional previous versions can be use for creating and maintaining your network - you can download the one which is compatible with your OS and then use diagram in 6.1 to check connectivity.

  • by jukkalep,

    jukkalep jukkalep Sep 29, 2012 8:49 PM in response to CRMDVM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 29, 2012 8:49 PM in response to CRMDVM

    Hmmm, tried to install older version of Airport utility to Mountain Lion. No luck. Older version won´t install. Is this real? Apple want´s people to use handicapped version of airport utility?

  • by CRMDVM,

    CRMDVM CRMDVM Sep 29, 2012 9:43 PM in response to jukkalep
    Level 4 (1,365 points)
    Sep 29, 2012 9:43 PM in response to jukkalep

    Sorry - I am a Windows guy and didn't read your post completely - and yes Apple does want you to use this version - but as I understand it, it can be used to set up a basic roaming network - but I don't have Mountain Lion so I can't advise you - however an alternative would be to use someone else's computer with 5.6.1 to set up your network (by the way you could even use a Windows computer)  - but I can say from experience that once you set it up, you will be very happy with it - I have an office with 8 Extremes and 2 Expresses on 2 T1 lines and they work great - I would also suggest that you contact Apple and tell them what you think - maybe if enough people complain that it is broken, they will fix it - and again I am sorry about the mix-up - all the different versions and compatibility make it very confusing - many of the gurus feel the same way and suggest some of the things I mention - and you could re-word your question and post it again (this time I won't jump in) and maybe one of the gurus will answer.- anyway good luck - I was only trying to help

    '

  • by jukkalep,

    jukkalep jukkalep Sep 29, 2012 10:09 PM in response to CRMDVM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 29, 2012 10:09 PM in response to CRMDVM

    ok, thanks. I think I have to to borrow my neighbors old mac laptop. So I first setup the new airport extreme and then the new airport express. Do I connect extreme to the wan port of the express? Same wlan settings and both "create wlan" mode? Any other advice concerning roaming network?

  • by CRMDVM,

    CRMDVM CRMDVM Sep 30, 2012 6:27 AM in response to jukkalep
    Level 4 (1,365 points)
    Sep 30, 2012 6:27 AM in response to jukkalep

    Yes - you first set up the Extreme - if you are going to hardwire the Express you would connect the extreme to the WAN port of the Express and create a wireless network on both with the same name and password - if you want the Express to be wireless, you would set it to extend the network with the same name and password - either way the Express will be in bridge mode - don't leave it attached to the Extreme if it is to be wireless - if you do, when it updates, it might backfeed the internet to your Extreme and shut down the network - check out this website - it works with Extremes or Expresses  -  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259

  • by jukkalep,

    jukkalep jukkalep Sep 30, 2012 6:43 AM in response to CRMDVM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 30, 2012 6:43 AM in response to CRMDVM

    Okay, thanks. I´m going to hardwire express to extreme beacause I want strong signal trought out the building. Do I have to connect those two when I am setting them up? I was planning to setup extreme first and then express. When I setup express do I have to connect it to extreme at the same time?

  • by CRMDVM,Solvedanswer

    CRMDVM CRMDVM Sep 30, 2012 6:49 AM in response to jukkalep
    Level 4 (1,365 points)
    Sep 30, 2012 6:49 AM in response to jukkalep

    Yes - hardwire is best because you will get the best signals and it is easier to set up - do the Extreme first with the Express disconnected and then connect the Express from a LAN port of the Extreme to the WAN port of the Express - if the old Mac has an ethernet port you can do it connected to a LAN port on the Extreme or wirelessly - connected is more reliable because you will always see the devices in the utility if they are all connected - good luck - let me know how you make out